Admission is $5, which is good for all three days. Each guest will receive a raffle ticket with the price of admission. There is no entry fee for children 12 years of age and under.

Not in the mood to shop? There’s lots more on tap for the weekend listed below in our arts and entertainment spotlight.

Most of these items come straight from The Scene, where it is always free to post and peruse the latest happenings.

Unique vintage items, like these from Trash to Treasures, will be for sale during Brooklyn Arts Center’s Holiday Flea Friday through Sunday. Photo courtesy Brooklyn Arts Center.

Music
Ukelele whiz Jake Shimabukuro plays Brooklyn Arts Center tonight (Thursday). Shimabukuro has achieved national acclaim, having been declared a musical “hero” by Rolling Stone. Tickets are $35 to $40. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.

Country singer and Brunswick County native CC Martin performs a benefit concert for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern N.C. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Village Park in Sunset Park. Admission is $10 at the door.

The Fourth Annual Beach Bash fundraiser is at 8 p.m. this Saturday at the Palm Room in Wrightsville Beach. The event features live music from the Justin Fox Trio, raffle items and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit the Brigade Boys & Girls Club. Admission is $15 and includes one specialty drink and a “Beach Bash” koozie.

Contemporary folk singer and songwriter Susan Werner returns to Thalian Hall Saturday to perform songs from her latest album, “The Hayseed Project.” The concert begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18 to $35. More information is available here.

Legendary Led Zeppelin cover band ZOSO takes the stage at Ziggy’s By The Sea Saturday. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 the day of the show. Doors open at 9 p.m. and the show starts at 10.
Wilmington’s own Carvers Surf and Stomp Combo returns to play at The Satellite Bar and Lounge at 9 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free.

Cape Fear Chorale and Orchestra celebrates its 15th anniversary with a concert at 4 p.m. Sunday in Kenan Auditorium on the campus of UNCW. The event features an audience sing-along for selected choruses of Handel’s “Messiah.” Bring your scores and join in, or just listen. A few scores will be available at the door for $15. The concert includes a piece composed by Carl Nygard and seasonal music. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

Area musicians are invited to join the stage at Locals Tavern for its Open Jam and Hot Dog Extravaganza Sunday from 6 to 10 p.m. The event is hosted by Randy O & The Mango Band. A P.A. system, lights, drums, keys and backline are provided.

Electronic band Conspirator plays at Ziggy’s Sunday. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the show. VIP Suite and Gold Room reservations are available. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9.

Theater
The UNCW Department of Theatre presents “Private Fears in Public Places,” at 8 p.m. tonight through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday in UNCW’s Cultural Arts Building. The play explores the lives of six people with separate but strangely linked circumstances. Admission is $5 to $12. More information can be found here.

Kathy Snow Productions presents “Willy Wonka, Junior” Friday and Saturday at the Scottish Rite Temple Theater and Banquet Hall. The production–featuring more than 50 young actors between the ages of five and 18–is based on the Roald Dahl novel, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” and the film, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” Show times are 6:30 p.m. Friday and 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $5 to $8 and are available in advance at both Learning Express stores in Wilmington or at the door beginning 30 minutes before the show.

TheatreNOW presents the Charles Dickens’ classic, “A Christmas Carol,” adapted for dinner theater, at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $30 to $48. Doors open at 6 p.m. A British taxi service is available. Tickets, menus and more details are on TheatreNOW’s website.

Thalian Association presents the award-winning play, “Other Desert Cities,” Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. at Red Barn Studio. “Other Desert Cities” won the 2011 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play before moving to Broadway, where it was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. The emotionally charged play centers around a family coming to terms with long-held secrets. Tickets are $25.

Super Saturday Fun Time Kids’ Variety Show continues this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at TheatreNOW. The ongoing series features Captain Plunkett, Dock the Dog and the Dock Street Kids as they unravel mysteries tied to Wilmington’s history and local attractions in Scooby Doo-style. A new “episode” happens each week. Tickets are $8.

Art

The Summer Rest Art Benefit is set for 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday at 211 Summer Rest Road. The event features the work of four local artists and light fare from South Beach Grill. A portion of the proceeds from artists’ sales will benefit the Early Bread Program, which assists the local homeless population. The event is free. Valet parking is available.

The 14th Annual Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Craft Fair is happening this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Mark Catholic Church. The event features more than 40 vendors and artisans showcasing their handmade creations. Admission is free and proceeds from sales benefit Dreams of Wilmington and Step Up for Soldiers.

Wilmington band Carvers Surf and Stomp Combo play a raucous show at The Satellite Bar and Lounge Saturday. Photo courtesy Satellite.

The Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County holds its inaugural fundraising event, The Arty Party, from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday in the Union Station Building on the campus of Cape Fear Community College. The reception celebrates and supports the local arts community and features a silent auction of items from local artists, as well as performances, and heavy hors d’oeurvres. Tickets are $75 per person.

Dance
In conjunction with The Big Read of Greater Wilmington, a World War II USO Dance and USO Show gets underway Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the Hannah Block USO/Community Arts Center. The Duke Ladd Band provides the music, and the the Thalian Association will produce the show. Admission is free and complimentary wine, beer, soft drinks and snacks will be available. This event is sponsored by the World War II Wilmington Home Front Heritage Coalition, The Thalian Association, Inc. and the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County.

The Cape Fear Contra Dancers holds its monthly Saturday night dance at 7:30 p.m. at Fifth Avenue Methodist Church in downtown Wilmington. The cost is $10 at the door ($5 for students). A live band performs, and a brief teaching session will be held at the start of the event.

A Latin dance party is set for Saturday at Islands Fresh Mex Grill. All ages and skill levels are welcome. The night gets underway at 9:45 p.m. with a dance lesson. Then at 10:30 p.m., the party begins. UNCW’s Ritmo Latino Dance Club will also perform. Admission is $3.

City Ballet of Wilmington presents “A Carolina Nutcracker” at 2:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday at Thalian Hall. Set in the Port City in December 1865, this family friendly production blends local history with the classic ballet. Tickets are $10 to $25. More information is available here.